[76242] in North American Network Operators' Group
Is the Internet a Phone Company
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ted Fischer)
Fri Dec 3 16:58:31 2004
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 16:57:57 -0500
To: nanog@merit.edu
From: Ted Fischer <ted@fred.net>
Errors-To: owner-nanog-outgoing@merit.edu
</lurk>
All,
Right from the Horse's Mouth:
Quote:
FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell applauded the Supreme Court's move to
hear the case.
"The 9th Circuit's decision would have grave consequences for the
future and availability of high-speed Internet connections in this
country," he said in a statement. "High-speed Internet connections are not
telephones."
Unquote:
Context: Mr. Powell's statement re: "The Supreme Court said Friday it
will consider whether Internet providers should be allowed to sell their
high-speed service over the cable television system."
Full article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6645391/
Although I am not well versed in the particulars of this specific case,
the statement itself would seem to have broad operational ramifications on
how "High-speed Internet connections" are built marketed, and priced - at
least in the U.S. The pressure for "extra-net" (if you'll pardon the
marketing term) VOIP is immense, for example.
I would appreciate The List's - US as well as Non-US - reaction to this
statement. It is the first time I have seen it so explicitly stated by
someone who's opinion on this matter carries more than just a little weight.
Ted Fischer
<lurk>
